IndoctriNation Podcast with Rachel Bernstein

13/09/2025

Dr. Mara Einstein is an internationally recognized expert on deceptive marketing. She is a former TV and advertising executive and the author of 8 books, including 'Hoodwinked.' You might also recognize Dr. Einstein from her appearance in the Emmy-nominated Netflix documentary, Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy, which exposes the impact of overconsumption on people and the planet.

Her book 'Hoodwinked' reveals the new world of digital marketing where steady, seductive tactics once used by spiritual charlatans are now applied to sell everything from toothpaste to apps and even political leaders. Through a combination of industry interviews, advertising analysis, and business and scholarly research, Dr. Einstein pulls back the curtain to reveal how marketers co-opt our emotions in the name of corporate profits. Armed with this information, readers can learn to spot cult-inspired marketing so they can decide how, or if, they should engage with it.

Listen on the IndoctriNation Podcast

10/09/2025

Marketing and Manipulation with Dr. Mara Einstein

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/indoctrination/id1373939526?i=1000725902887

In this episode, Rachel Bernstein welcomes Dr. Mara Einstein to explore the pervasive influence of marketing strategies and their parallels with cult tactics. They share personal anecdotes and experiences, discuss the recruitment and indoctrination processes of cults and MLMs, and delve into the psychology behind marketing and brand communities. The conversation also touches upon how digital technology has transformed these practices and the importance of critical thinking and awareness in avoiding manipulation. Dr. Einstein provides insights from her extensive research and experience, offering valuable information on how marketing and cult tactics intersect and influence people's lives.

09/09/2025

09/09/2025

In Trust: The Complete Series, Rachel Bernstein LMFT, provides essential insights into building and recognizing trust in all types of relationships. This two-part video lecture explores the key characteristics of trustworthy individuals and offers practical advice for navigating relationships in personal, social, and professional settings.

Part 1: Focuses on the foundational principles of trust, explaining how it affects your freedom and emotional well-being, while also discussing the impact of betrayal.

Part 2: Dives deeper into identifying subtle signs of trustworthiness, whether it’s with family, friends, romantic partners, or colleagues.

Learn more: https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com/videos.html

08/09/2025

(COMING WEDNESDAY) Dr. Mara Einstein is an internationally recognized expert on deceptive marketing. She is a former TV and advertising executive and the author of 8 books, including 'Hoodwinked.' You might also recognize Dr. Einstein from her appearance in the Emmy-nominated Netflix documentary, Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy, which exposes the impact of overconsumption on people and the planet.

Her book 'Hoodwinked' reveals the new world of digital marketing where steady, seductive tactics once used by spiritual charlatans are now applied to sell everything from toothpaste to apps and even political leaders. Through a combination of industry interviews, advertising analysis, and business and scholarly research, Dr. Einstein pulls back the curtain to reveal how marketers co-opt our emotions in the name of corporate profits. Armed with this information, readers can learn to spot cult-inspired marketing so they can decide how, or if, they should engage with it.

03/09/2025

Exposing the 2x2 Church pt. 2 with Kyle and Kari Hanks

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/indoctrination/id1373939526?i=1000724776873

01/09/2025

(COMING WEDNESDAY) Kyle and Kari Hanks left the 2x2 church during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alongside last week’s guests, Mike and Abbi Prussack, they launched a Facebook support group for former members in early 2022. In March 2023, they publicly released a leaked letter detailing abuse by a former overseer. The letter triggered a wave of disclosures, as thousands of survivors came forward to share their stories. The group quickly expanded from 900 to over 5,600 members, and has since documented more than 600 individual abusers—part of a broader tally exceeding 1,000 within a religious community estimated at 75,000 members. In 2024, the FBI opened an investigation, which remains ongoing.

In this episode, Kyle and Kari also reflect on their upbringing within the 2x2 church. They describe its teachings, social norms, and a culture where questioning was quietly suppressed. They share how the isolation of the pandemic became a turning point—prompting them to deconstruct their faith and confront beliefs they once held as absolute.

29/08/2025

Abbi and Mike Prussack left the 2x2 church shortly after getting married, following a faith crisis that led them to step away from Christianity altogether. Their departure strained family relationships and led to the loss of most of their social circle. One of the few enduring connections was with their friends Kyle and Kari Hanks. After Kyle and Kari also left the church during the COVID-19 pandemic, the two couples launched a Facebook support group for former members in early 2022.

In March 2023, they publicly released a leaked letter exposing abuse by a former overseer, Dean Bruer. This opened the floodgates, and thousands of survivors began coming forward with their stories. Their group rapidly grew from 900 to over 5,600 members, and they have since documented more than 600 individual abusers within the church—part of a total exceeding 1,000 in a religious community estimated at 75,000 members. The FBI launched an investigation in 2024, which remains ongoing. In 2025, Mike and Abbi released a leaked set of overseer meeting notes, which revealed troubling attitudes among church leadership, further validating the concerns of those who left.

Listen on the IndoctriNation Podcast